Social Network System and Method Based on User Selected Geographic Locations

ABSTRACT

A novel system and method for establishing a social network based on user selected geographic locations. In a preferred embodiment, a registered user selects one or more geographic locations from actual locations around the world. The user then joins specific neighborhoods/communities or interest groups within the selected locations to share personal experiences. Interactions between the registered user and others are based on mutual topics of interest specified by the selected geographic location(s) and interests. Interactions include notifications, posts and discussions. The registered user can also access information such as weather, calendars, advertisements, job banks, personal ads and RSS feeds that are specific to the selected geographic location(s) and interests. The system allows registered users to participate in polls, surveys and questionnaire specific to the selected geographic location(s) and interest groups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Oorbook is a geographic based social networking platform. In referenceto the structure chart, the use of the invention is accomplished by theuser in distinct phases.

Registration Phase:

Users will register for the site directly and then verify their emailaddresses before logging in. The registration phase will create aprofile for the user who can then use it for all Oorbook geographicbased functionalities.

Profile Setup Phase:

After registration, the users set their geographic location(s) whichwill also determine what the users see after logging into the site inregards to weather, calendar, ads, job bank, personal ads and RSSfunctionalities. In addition to their geographic locations, users willsubscribe to their preferred interest groups which will also determinewhat possible notifications they may receive to their profile in regardsto those specified interest groups.

Topic Creation and Posting Phase:

Once the registration and profile setup phases are completed, users canbegin to create topics and post in existing topics in regards to theirpreferred interest groups. The users who have set the same geographiclocations can then view these topics and these posts.

DESCRIPTION OF PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF INVENTION

With Oorbook, the users are limited in regards to what ads,notification, weather, job bank and RSS they can see by the geographiclocations that they have chosen. This ensures that the purpose ofOorbook is committed to building and strengthening of local communities.With Oorbook, even a small village can have its own location where itsmembers can post and create topics without having to create thevillage's own website. Political organizations, government bodies andbusiness groups can then use it to send notifications, conduct opinionpolls for research or surveying purposes, and interact with communitymembers who have subscribed to that geographic location group. Communityorganizers will even have the ability to create private discussiontopics open only through invitation. This would even allow smallbusiness groups to have their own communication web where they cancommunicate with their employees and employers internally in regards totheir geographic location(s).

Description of Social Benefits of Invention

With Oorbook, users are communicating with individuals that are in theirimmediate area or geographic area of interest. The discussions andpostings in all the interest groups will be between people who have avested interest in that locality or ‘geographic location’. Theinteraction between users in similar geographic locations allows them tosee each-other more as neighbors and part of the same community. Userscan post events or reminders in calendars in regards to an interestgroup or topic/subtopic to allow all participants therein to see suchreminder or event. Government based groups can issue community widenotifications and research groups can conduct community wide polls,notifications and discussions.

Description of Economic Value of Invention

Oorbook allows users to upload their resumes and qualifications to theirprofile and to view job postings. Oorbook also allows employers to viewresumes and profiles, and post job availabilities. With Oorbook, the Adsthat the site displays will be directly related to the community.

Oorbook can also increase productivity of small business groups that donot have their own websites. The businesses can post community widenotifications for other interest groups. In addition, the business canalso create topics that are available to be viewed and posted in only byinvitation to ensure it remains internal.

Description of Cultural Value of Invention

Since Oorbook's functionality revolves around geographic locations,members will have an experience in their desired interest groups andgeographic locations that caters to their culture. Interests such asmusic, television and other entertainment will be localized togeographic locations in the local language.

Description of Structure Chart Illustration

-   -   The Person in the chart represents a user and the cylinder a        group or organization. The circle with the red X is oorbook.com.    -   Both user and group can visit Oorbook as shown with the arrows        pointing towards it. Once there, they need to register at which        point they will be required to verify their email addresses.    -   Once verified, the users can login and set up their profile.    -   The user will then set his/her geographic location(s). At this        point, the user can see the weather, calendar, geographic        specific ads, job bank, personal ads and RSS.    -   The user can also then set his/her interest group after choosing        his/her geographic location.    -   At this point, the user can create topics within interest groups        and sub topics within them.    -   The user can also post in existing topics.    -   The user can take action on any existing topic, events,        notifications, discussion.

1. Oorbook: A social networking platform that specifically focuses onusers' experience into specific geographic locations that they choose.a. The number of geographic locations is limited in number. b. Thecontent that the user sees is directly related to his/her geographiclocation(s) and interest groups.
 2. Oorbook: A social networkingplatform requiring registration that lets users see notifications, postsand discussions from government, businesses, and social groups. a. Thenotifications, discussions, posts and ads that the user can see arespecified by their geographic location(s) and interests.
 3. Thespecified geographic location(s) of users allows them to see weather,calendar, ad, job bank, personal ad and RSS that are specific to thoselocations.
 4. Oorbook allows polling and surveys and otherquestionnaires specific to geographic location(s) and interest groups tobe setup up by community groups for community members and those with avested interest in that geographic location to participate in suchpolls, surveys and questionnaire.